The electric blanket thread got me wondering: how many of us on the quad-list have difficulty with hot or cold?
Questions: 1. Did your temperature regulation/sensation change due to your SCI? 2. Do you now prefer hot or cold temperatures/weather? 3. Would you or did you move, after your SCI, to a preferable climate? 4. To what do you attribute your temperature preference? [e.g. circulation, sweating, etc.] 5. What methods have you found to maintain comfortable body temp [hotter or cooler.] This is fascinating to me. I grew up in chilly Wisconsin (northern U.S.) and once I had my SCI could no longer tolerate cold. I moved to Arizona because I love heat and sunshine. I believe I get cold easily due to lack of movement [circulation and calorie burning affected] and sweating issues, but I also believe there may be a psychological component of the SCI sending incorrect temperature messages/feedback to the brain. I do have problems cooling down when it's 110 degrees here, but I MUCH PREFER that to being cold--any temperature below 70 degrees feels cool to me now! I dress in layers and use the heater in my car when I'm cold. The one thing that 'normalizes' my temperature sensation is alcohol. I prefer red wine, and have a glass most evenings. Don.
